The 2018 NBA Finals have concluded and the champions have been named. Sadly for Cleveland fans, it's not LeBron James and the Cavaliers. The King's defeat has paved the way for rumors about his free agency and how this will affect the team. Sources are now saying that if James leaves, his partner Kevin Love will be traded too, Cavaliers Nation noted.

Golden State Warriors have remained undefeated in the Finals series, landing a 4-0 blow to the Cleveland Cavaliers. In their fourth straight Finals appearance, Steph Curry and the Dubs established a 3-1 lead on their rivals.

The loss, which is also the sixth Finals defeat for James, further cemented talks that he will be leaving The Land.

LeBron James may go to the Lakers, rumors suggest

LeBron James' trade rumors suggest he may be joining the West with the Los Angeles Lakers. Joel Embiid has also been pushing for the recruitment of James in Philadelphia to join the Sixers. While the Oakland native has yet to make any comments about his impending free agency, rumors are already making ripples in Cleveland.

According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, no one in the current roster is guaranteed their spot if the four-time MVP leaves. A Kevin Love trade is also expected to happen, with another pick in the NBA Draft 2018 as an option.

Kevin Love may also go, Windhorst explained

"They start over. They fully make Kevin Love available. I bet they would look for a first round pick in that trade. He's on the last year of a deal so they don't want to take on money," Windhorst explained on 'The Hoop Collective' podcast

Kevin Love joined the Cavaliers in 2014 after posting impressive numbers with the Minnesota Timberwolves but failing to reach the NBA Playoffs.

He won his first championship with LeBron and Kyrie Irving in the 2016 Finals, also against the Warriors.

However, since Irving's departure, the Cavs have struggled in the postseason. They had two Game 7 matches in the series - one with the Indian Pacers in the first round and with the Boston Celtics in the Conference Finals.

Both had LeBron James putting up otherworldly figures to keep the team in contention.

Love posted impressive numbers in games 1, 2 and 3 of the Finals, with an average of 21 points and 12 rebounds. However, it wasn't enough to get them even a single win against the Dubs. However, his statistics would be a welcome addition to the other teams, especially since Love has honed his game holistically since joining the Cavs. He is a force in the paint but can also shoot threes.

Love has addressed the NBA trade rumors, saying he hopes to stay with the Cavaliers. He does, however, know that the NBA is a business and teams will do what they need to win.

"I've always said that. I always wanted to be here.

Always wanted to win here. But as you know, it's probably going to come up," Love said during the Finals media availability.

"Knowing that it's a business, I know that's cliché to say, take it in stride. But that's just what I've had to do. Keep my mouth shut and go about my business and work and be ready and be prepared for this team next year."
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